Broadband News

A third of laptops are stolen from homes

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

More laptops are stolen from homes than on public transport, in coffee shops or at airports, according to new research from YouGov.

The study, commissioned by tracking technology developers Absolute Software, revealed that 32% of laptops are taken from British homes, followed by thefts from cars at 24% and public transport in third place with 8%.

Dave Everitt, general manager at Absolute Software, said: "There is a range of security measures that laptop owners can take, from simply locking their laptop in a secure location to installing software that enables personal files to be remotely deleted, tracked and even recovered."

"With the amount of sensitive information now being stored on laptops and subsequent identity theft, personal security can not be compromised," he concluded.

The number of laptops stolen from British homes was higher than in France, the US and Germany.

Michael Phillips, Broadbandchoices.co.uk product director, said: “The rapid rise of mobile broadband and the increased popularity of netbooks in the UK - which are even offered ‘free’ with some deals - means that more people now have a laptop than ever before.

“Whether you keep your laptop at home or take it out and about with you, you need to take measures to keep it safe,” he added. “Don’t leave your laptop in plain sight at home or in the car and never leave it unattended on train journeys or in coffee shops.”

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